Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace (2019) by John C. Maxwell, Book Review

 

Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace (2019) 

by John C. Maxwell

I've read this book twice. One during my travel to Peninsular Malaysia last year; and then I read again this year. John Maxwell has been my distant mentor ever since I started my first job after graduating from university. One quote from John that I will never forget is this: "Everything rises and falls on leadership." Core principles of leadership like competence, courage, consistency, character, etc. will never change but the world around us changes rapidly. It is not a call to compromise but to adapt - to shift our leadership. John highlights a study that was published in The Flux Report reported that "91% of future recruiting in the workplace will be based on people's ability to deal with change and uncertainty." Change or die!

What is leadershift? John defines it as an ability and willingness to make a leadership change that will positively enhance organizational and personal growth. "Leadershift is not easy," John reminds us, "especially when you first start doing it. Often you leave behind something that has worked to pursue something untested. You'll have to deal with the tension between the stability that gives security and the adaptability that opens up the opportunity... The desire to improve will drive you to keep learning. But here's the good news: learning to leadershift will make you a better leader!" I want that for myself - and as I share this short review - I want this for you too. We all can be highly benefitted from a good leadership paradigm. We all can learn and grow to become a leader we are meant to be. We all can be a better leader.

Here are the 11 shifts that we have to embrace, learn, and practice to be more effective (and relevant) as a leader in the fast-paced world today. I'm good with some, okay with a few, and there are a lot of improvements that I have to make. How about you? Check this out 👇👇👇

#1 The Focus Shift - from Soloist to Conductor
#2 The Personal Development Shift - from Goals to Growth
#3 The Cost Shift - from Perks to Price
#4 The Relational Shift - from Pleasing People to Challenging People
#5 The Abundance Shift - from Maintaining to Creating
#6 The Reproduction Shift - from Ladder Climbing to Ladder Building
#7 The Communication Shift - from Directing to Connecting
#8 The Improvement Shift - from Team Uniformity to Team Diversity
#9 The Influence Shift - from Positional Authority to Moral Authority
#10 The Impact Shift - from Trained Leaders to Transformational Leaders
#11 The Passion Shift - from Career to Calling

Buy this book (or ebook or audiobook). If it's too expensive for you, eat only once per day and save your money. Hey, you need to improve your leadership. Change or die! 😊📖💪 #ServeToLead #1Book1Week #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #Leadership #Leadershift #JohnCMaxwell

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BOOK REVIEW Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 (2018) by John C. Maxwell

Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 (2018) by John C. Maxwell

John C. Maxwell writes: "I have earned three degrees: a bachelor's, a master's, and a doctorate. Yet I have not taken a single course in leadership during my studies before the 1993 (first) publication of Developing the Leader Within You. Why? Because none of the universities I attended offered a single course on the subject.

"Today, however, 'leadership' is a buzzword. And schools and universities have embraced it... Why has leadership become so important? Because people are recognizing that becoming a better leader changes lives. Everything rises and falls on leadership. The world becomes a better place when people become better leaders." So, develop the leader within you!

#LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 (2018) by John C. Maxwell, Book Review

Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 (2018) by John C. Maxwell

I read the first version of this book before. I even listened to the audiobook many times and watched videos of live seminars on the same subject. I read lots of John Maxwell's books because I love the way he writes: simple, easy to understand, challenging and applicable. I also can sense his passion, sincerity and authority on the subject of leadership. If you're a young reader, I recommend reading The Winning Attitude and Failing Forward. If you're new on the job (whatever your position), I recommend Talent Is Never Enough and Be A People Person. If you're a manager or in the people business, read Winning with People and 25 Ways to Win with People. If you're a team leader, I wholly recommend The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork and The 17 Essential Qualities of A Team Player. If you want to be a better leader, don't miss The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader and The 5 Levels of Leadership. If you want to grow to be an effective person, read Today Matters and How Successful People Think. But if you want to start to explore John's books, start with Developing the Leader Within You. You'll not regret! (I just purchased Leadershift. Haven’t read it).

The new edition – after 25 years and over 2 million copies sold – of this book contains the 10 foundational lessons for becoming a good leader. John writes, "It's still the first book I recommend that people read to start their leadership development journeys." With more than 80% of the content revised, this new edition is fresh and, of course, much better than the previous one. The 10 foundations are:

#1 The Definition of Leadership: Influence

#2 The Key to Leadership: Priorities

#3 The Foundation of Leadership: Character

#4 The Ultimate Test of Leadership: Creating Positive Change

#5 The Quickest Way to Gain Leadership: Problem Solving

#6 The Extra Plus in Leadership: Attitude

#7 The Heart of Leadership: Serving People

#8 The Indispensable Quality of Leadership: Vision

#9 The Price Tag of Leadership: Self-Discipline

#10 The Expansion of Leadership: Personal Growth

I'm very familiar with John's teachings. Besides listen to his audiobooks, I also listen to The John Maxwell Leadership Podcast. So most of the materials in this book are not new to me and yet, because John is always learning – he takes his own advice on personal growth very seriously – I noticed that his writings are getting more interesting and the examples, stories and quotes are just wonderful. As I examine myself with these foundational lessons, I find that my strengths are (also can be my weaknesses if I'm too confident) problem solving, attitude, self-discipline and personal growth. I want to think that I have influence and character. I just see the importance of priorities a few years ago. I need to improve in creating positive change and vision. And I must learn to serve people with love, care and patient. Like John, patience is my greatest weakness.

I will do a book review video soon. So, much of what I've learned from this book I will share in there. As for now, if you want to continue leading, you got to continue learning. Read books.

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Angelus' Quote: Leaders Must Planning for Succession

John C. Maxwell, leadership author, and speaker outlines Three (3) Important Points in Planning for Succession:

#1 PREPARE YOURSELF. Many leaders have a hard time letting go of their leadership positions. Some can't handle it emotionally. Some have not prepared financially. Other have not discussed it with their families. Get yourself ready for the idea.

#2 LOOK FOR SEVERAL POTENTIAL SUCCESSORS. If you are in a position to pick your successor, look for several people with the potential to replace you. Ideally, you would have a pool of people to pick from.

#3 LET THE ORGANIZATION KNOW CHANGE IS ON THE HORIZON. Transitions from one leader to another can be traumatic. Don't spring it on your people. Let them know in plenty of time if it's within your power.

____________

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BOOK REVIEW: Good Leaders Ask Great Questions (2014) by John C. Maxwell

John C. Maxwell, my long-distant mentor in leadership, writes, “Good leaders ask great questions that inspire others to dream more, think more, learn more, do more, and become more.” That’s exactly what this book had done to me! This book is filled with great questions and good answers. When this book was published, John was 67-year-old. This is the product – the book that every young leader should read – of his 40 years in leadership. Imagine John’s experiences (so far) as a leader, writer, trainer, speaker and mentor crunch into a solid book that can be read like a textbook on leadership 📕📖📚📓📑📓📚

"If you want to be successful and reach your leadership potential,” writes John, “you need to embrace asking questions as a lifestyle.” Why? John Maxwell outlines Eight (8) Values of Questions:

1) You Only Get Answers to the Questions You Ask

2) Questions Unlock and Open Doors that Otherwise Remain Closed

3) Questions Are the Most Effective Means of Connecting with People

4) Questions Cultivate Humility

5) Questions Help You to Engage Others in Conversation

6) Questions Allow Us to Build Better Ideas

7) Questions Give Us a Different Perspective

8) Questions Challenge Mind-Sets and Get You Out of Ruts

#LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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Good Leaders Ask Great Questions: Your Foundation for Successful Leadership (2014), Book Review

Good Leaders Ask Great Questions: Your Foundation for Successful Leadership (2014)
by John C. Maxwell

John C. Maxwell, my long-distant mentor in leadership, writes, “Good leaders ask great questions that inspire others to dream more, think more, learn more, do more, and become more.” That’s exactly what this book had done to me! This book is filled with great questions and good answers. When this book was published, John was 67-year-old. This is the product – the book that every young leader should read – of his 40 years in leadership. Imagine John’s experiences (so far) as a leader, writer, trainer, speaker and mentor crunch into a solid book that can be read like a textbook on leadership. I can’t finish reading a book like this and say, “I get it,” because it is not wisdom until I put it into practice. Surely, I will come back to this book when I have questions in leadership…. which I will refer to a lot in the future, I foresee. Og Mandino reminds us, “Take the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new.”

“If you want to be successful and reach your leadership potential,” writes John, “you need to embrace asking questions as a lifestyle.” Why? John Maxwell outlines Eight (8) Values of Questions:

#1 You Only Get Answers to the Questions You Ask

#2 Questions Unlock and Open Doors that Otherwise Remain Closed

#3 Questions Are the Most Effective Means of Connecting with People

#4 Questions Cultivate Humility

#5 Questions Help You to Engage Others in Conversation

#6 Questions Allow Us to Build Better Ideas

#7 Questions Give Us a Different Perspective

#8 Questions Challenge Mind-Sets and Get You Out of Ruts

I love asking questions. Because of my inner curiosity, on average, I read one book and listen to one audiobook per week, watch a documentary or talk/seminar at least once per month, listen to podcasts on various topics, and more, and continue to do so because I love to gain knowledge. The fact that I never stop learning is because I never stop asking questions. I know some friends, colleagues, and students who pretend to know-it-all doesn’t ask questions when they need to. As a result, they left behind in their thinking and leadership. Anthony Robbins observed, “Quality questions create a quality life. Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.” So true! John said that questions have changed his life. In Part 1, he outlines questions others asked him, questions that he asked that changed his life, questions that he asked himself as a leader, and questions that he asked his team members. This part is worth reading all over again! John summarises, “Questions have power when I look back at the progression of my life, I can see that questions have marked the way for my growth, prompted positive changes of direction, and let to many successes. Though many of us try to make ourselves look smart by giving clever answers, we would be much better off if we focused our attention on asking questions… Good questions inform; great questions transform.”

In Part 2, important and practical sections, John answers questions that leaders asked him. Questions such as what must leaders do to lead themselves successfully? How does leadership work? How does leaders-gonna-be get started in leadership?  How leaders resolve conflict and lead challenging people? How can leaders succeed in working under poor leadership? How can leaders successfully navigate leadership transitions? How can leaders develop other leaders? Within these questions, there are sub-questions that John deals with. I love the second last questions that John answers with this opening statement: “There’s only one way to lead leaders. Become a better leader yourself. Good leaders do not follow poor ones. People naturally follow leaders stronger than themselves.” For each question, John basically says: start with yourself and to be a leader is to serve people. Superb! It’s true: Everything rises and falls on leadership. So the great question and request that everyone (believers) should ask is: “God, how should I lead?”

Good Leaders Ask Great Questions.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

John C. Maxwell on Leadership #33 Break Down Your Dream Into Smaller Goals

Millionaire industrialist Andrew Carnegie said, “You cannot push anyone up the ladder unless he is willing to climb himself.” The same is true of a person on the success journey: she won’t go forward unless she is motivated to do so. Goals can help provide that motivation. Paul Myer commented, “No one ever accomplishes anything of consequence without a goal… Goal setting is the strongest human force for self-motivation.”

Think about it. What is one of the greatest motivators in the world? Success. When you take a large activity (such as your dream) and break it down into smaller, more manageable parts (goals), you set yourself up for success because you make what you want to accomplish obtainable. And each time you accomplish a small goal, you experience success. That’s motivating! Accomplish enough of the small goals, and you’ll be taking a major step toward achieving your purpose and developing your potential.

Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated – and that creates momentum. Once you get going on the success journey, it will be very hard to stop you. The process is similar to what happens with a train. Getting it started is the toughest part of its trip. While standing still, a train can be prevented from moving forward by one-inch blocks of wood under each of the locomotive’s drive wheels. However, once a train gets up to speed, not even a steel-enforced concrete wall five feet thick can stop it.

[Taken from Your Road Map for Success: You Can Get There from Here (2010) by John C. Maxwell. Published by Thomas Nelson.]

Develop Goals that Will Initiate Motivation and Create Momentum.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

John C. Maxwell on Leadership #32 Don't Try to Do Everything, Neglect Some (or More)

William James said that the art of being wise is the “art of knowing what to overlook.” The petty and the mundane steal much of our time. Too many of us living for the wrong things. Dr Anthony Campolo tells about a sociological study in which 50 people over the age of 95 were asked one question: “If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?” It was an open-ended question, and a multiplicity of answers constantly re-emerged and dominated the results of the study. These were their answers:

If I had it to do over again, I would reflect more.

If I had it to do over again, I would risk more.

If I had it to do over again, I would do more things that would live on after I am dead.

A young concert violinist was asked the secret of her success. She replied, “Planned neglect.” Then she explained, “When I was in school, there were many things that demanded my time. When I went to my room after breakfast, I made my bed, straightened the room, dusted the floor, and did whatever else came to my attention. Then I hurried to my violin practice. I found I wasn’t progressing as I thought I should, so I reversed things. Until my practice period was completed, I deliberately neglected everything else. That program of planned neglect, I believe, accounts for my success.”

[Taken from Developing the Leader Within You (2005) by John C. Maxwell. Published by Thomas Nelson Inc.]

Put first things first today

And neglect things that don’t really matter.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

John C. Maxwell on Leadership #31 Look for the Gold, Not Dirt

There is something much more important and scarce than ability: It is the ability to recognize ability. One of the primary responsibilities of a successful leader is to identify potential leaders. It’s not always an easy job, but it is critical.

Dale Carnegie was a master at identifying potential leaders. Once asked by a reporter how he had managed to hire 43 millionaires, Carnegie responded that the men had not been millionaires when they started working for him. They had become millionaires as a result. The reporter next wanted to know how he had developed these men to become such valuable leaders. Carnegie replied, “Men are developed the same way gold is mined. Several tons of dirt must be moved to get an ounce of gold. But you don’t go into the mine looking for dirt,” he added. “You go in looking for the gold.”

That’s exactly the way to develop positive, successful people. Look for the gold, not the dirt; the good, not the bad. The more positive qualities you look for, the more you are going to find.

[Taken from Developing the Leaders Around You: How to Help Others Reach Their Full Potential (2005) by John C. Maxwell. Published by Nelson Business.]

Have you made it a priority to find potential leaders and develop them?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

John C. Maxwell on Leadership #30 You Don't Need a Title to Lead

If I had to identify the number one misconception people have about leadership, it would be the belief that leadership comes simply from having a position or title. But nothing could be further from the truth. You don’t need to possess a position at the top of your group, department, division, or organization in order to lead. If you think you do, then you have bought into the position myth.

A place at the top will not automatically make anyone a leader. The Law of Influence in The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership states it clearly: “The true measure of leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less.”

Because I [John] have led volunteer organizations most of my life, I have watched many people become tied up by the position myth. When people who buy into this myth are identified as potential leaders and put on a team, they are very uncomfortable if they have not been given some kind of title or position that labels them as leaders in the eyes of other team members. Instead of working to build relationships with others on the team and to gain influence naturally, they wait for the positional leader to invest them with authority and give them a title. After a while, they become more and more unhappy, until they finally decide to try another team, another leader, or another organization. People who follow this pattern don’t understand how effective leadership develops.

[Taken from The 360 Degree Leader: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization (2011) by John C. Maxwell. Published by HarperCollins Leadership]

If People Need a Title to Lead,

Don’t Expect Them to Soar like Eagles.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

John C. Maxwell on Leadership #29 Put People In Their (Right) Place

Moving someone from a job they have to the right job can be life-changing. One executive I [John] interviewed said he moved a person on his staff to four different places in the organization, trying to find the right fit. Because he’d placed her wrong so many times, he was almost ready to give up on her. But he knew she had great potential, and she was right for the organization. Finally, after he found the right job for her, she was a star!

Because this executive knows how important it is to have every person working in the right job, he asks his staff once a year, “If you could be doing anything, what would it be?” From their answers, he gets clues about any people who may have been miscast in their roles.

Trying to get the right person in the right job can take a lot of time and energy. Let’s face it. Isn’t it easier for a leader to just put people where it is most convenient and get on with the work? Once again, this is an area where leaders’ desire for action works against them. Fight against your natural tendency to make a decision and move on. Don’t be afraid to move people around if they’re not shining the way you think they could.

[Taken from The 360 Degree Leader: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization (2011) by John C. Maxwell. Published by HarperCollins Leadership]

Look for Clues that Someone on Your Team Could Be Better Placed.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

John C. Maxwell on Leadership #28 People Do What People See

According to noted medical missionary Albert Schweitzer, “Example is not the main thing in influencing people… it is the only thing.” Part of creating an appealing climate to grow potential leaders is modeling leadership. People emulate what they see modeled. Positive model – positive response. Negative model – negative response. What leaders do, potential leaders around them do. What they value, their people value. The leaders’ goals become their goals. Leaders set the tone. As Lee Iacocca suggests, “The speed of the boss is the speed of the team.” A leader cannot demand of others what he does not demand of himself.

As you and I grow and improve as leaders, so will those we lead. We need to remember that when people follow us, they can only go as far as we go. If our growth stops, our ability to lead will stop along with it. Neither personality nor methodology can substitute for personal growth. We cannot model what we do not possess. Begin learning and growing today, and watch those around you begin to grow. As a leader, I am primary a follower of great principles and other great leaders.

[Taken from Developing the Leaders Around You: How to Help Others Reach Their Full Potential (2005) by John C. Maxwell. Published by Thomas Nelson Inc.]

Ask No More of Others than You Are Asking of Yourself.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

John C. Maxwell on Leadership #27 A Leader Is An Enlarger

Team members always love and admire a player who is able to help them go to another level, someone who enlarges them and empowers them to be successful. Players who enlarge their teammates have several things in common:

#1 Enlargers Values their Teammates: Your teammates can tell whether you believe in them. People’s performances usually reflect the expectations of those they respect.

#2 Enlargers Value What their Teammates Value: Players who enlarge others listen to discover what their teammates talk about and watch to see what they spend their money on. That kind of knowledge, along with a desire to relate to their fellow players, creates a strong connection.

#3 Enlargers Add Value to their Teammates: Adding value is really the essence of enlarging others. It’s finding ways to help others improve their abilities and attitudes. An enlarger looks for the gifts, talents, and uniqueness in other people, and then helps them to increase those abilities.

#4 Enlargers Make Themselves More Valuable: Enlargers work to make themselves better, not only because it benefits them personally, but also because it helps them to help others. If you want to increase the ability of a teammate, make yourself better.

How do your teammates see you? Are you an enlarger? Do you make them better than they are alone through your inspiration and contribution? Do you know what your teammates value? Do you capitalize on those things by adding value to them in those areas?

[Taken from The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player: Becoming the Kind of Person Every Team Wants (2007) by John C. Maxwell. Published by Thomas Nelson Inc.]

Becoming a better leader starts with enlarging others regardless of whether

or not you have a position, authority, or a title.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

John C. Maxwell on Leadership #26 A Leader's Power Is the Ability to Empower Others

How do you spot a leader? According to Robert Townsend, they come in all sizes, ages, shapes, and conditions. Some are poor administrators, while some are not overly bright. There is a clue: since some people are mediocre, the true leader can be recognized because somehow his people consistently demonstrate superior performances.

A leader is great, not because of his or her power, but because of his or her ability to empower others. Success without a successor is a failure. A worker’s main responsibility is developing others to do the work. Loyalty to the leader reaches its highest peak when the follower has personally grown through the mentorship of the leader. Why? You win people’s hearts by helping them grow personally.

Years ago, one of the key players on my staff was Sheryl Fleisher. When she first joined the team, she was not a people person. Today she successfully develops others. There is a bond of loyalty that Sheryl has given to my leadership, and we both know the reason. My time invested with her brought a positive change. She will never forget what I have done for her. Interestingly, her time invested in the lives of others greatly helped me. I will never forget what she has done for me either.

The core of leaders who surround you should all be people you have personally touched or helped to develop in some way. When that happens, love and loyalty will be exhibited by those closest to you and by those who are touched by your key leaders.

Are people going to the next level because of your investment in them?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

[Taken from Developing the Leader Within You (2012) by John C. Maxwell. Published by Thomas Nelson Inc.]

John C. Maxwell on Leadership #25 Good Leaders Are Good Navigators

Is Jack Sparrow a good leader-navigator?

Nearly anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course. Before leaders take their people on a journey, they become navigators and go through a process in order to give the trip the best chance of being a success:

Navigators Draw on Past Experience: Most natural leaders are activists. They tend to look forward – not backward – make decisions, and move on. But for leaders to become good navigators, they need to take time to reflect and learn from their experiences.

Navigators Examine the Conditions Before Making Commitments: Good navigators count the cost before making commitments for themselves and others. They examine not only measurable factors such as finances, resources, and talents, but also intangibles such as timing, morale, momentum, culture, and so on.

Navigators Listen to What Others Have to Say: No matter how good a leader you are, you yourself will not have all the answers. That’s why top-notch navigators gather information from many sources.

Navigators Make Sure Their Conclusions Represent Both Faith and Fact: Being able to navigate for others requires a leader to possess a positive attitude. You’ve got to have faith that you can take your people all the way. On the other hand, you also have to be able to see the facts realistically. If you don’t go in with your eyes wide open, you’re going to get blindsided.

[Taken from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You (1998) by John C. Maxwell]

Have you taken the time to chart the course

for the people you’re leading?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

John C. Maxwell on Leadership #24 Find A Purpose

More than anything else, having a sense of purpose keeps a person going in the midst of adversity. Business consultant Paul Stoltz did an extensive study on what it takes for individuals to persist through setbacks.

According to Stoltz, the most important ingredient of persistence is, “Identifying your mountain, your purpose in life, so that the work you do is meaningful. I run into people every day who are basically climbing the wrong mountain. People who have spent 20 years or more of their lives doing something that has no deep purpose for them. Suddenly they look back and go, ‘What have I been doing?’”

If you are a purpose-driven person naturally, then you probably already possess an innate sense of direction that helps you overcome adversity. But if you’re not, then you may need some help. Use the following steps to help you develop a desire:

1) Get next to people who possess a great desire

2) Develop discontent with the status quo

3) Search for a goal that excites you

4) Put your most vital possessions into that goal

5) Visualize yourself enjoying the rewards of that goal

If you follow this strategy, you may not immediately find your ultimate purpose, but you will at least start moving in that direction. As Abraham Lincoln said, “Always bear in mind that your resolution to succeed is more important than any other thing.”

How sure are you that you are climbing the right mountain?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

John C. Maxwell on Leadership #23 Practice Your Craft Today

William Osler, the physician who wrote The Principles and Practice of Medicine in 1892, once told a group of medical students:

“Banish the future. Live only for the hour and its allotted work. Think not the amount to be accomplished, the difficulties to be overcome, or the end to attained, but set earnestly at the little task at your elbow, letting that be sufficient for the day; for surely our plain duty is, as Carlyle says, ‘Not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.’”

The only way to improve is to practice your craft until you know it inside and out. At first, you do what you know to do. The more you practice your craft, the more you know. But as you do more, you will also discover more about what you ought to do differently. At that point you have a decision to make: Will you do what you have always done, or will you try to do more of what you think you should do? The only way you improve is to get out of your comfort zone and try new things.

People often ask me, “How can I grow my business?” or “How can I make my department better?” The answer is for you personally to grow. The only way to grow your organization is to grow the leaders who run it. By making yourself better, you make others better. Retired General Electric CEO Jack Welch said, “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” And the time to start is today.

Focus your energy on trying something within your strength zone but

outside of your comfort zone.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

John C. Maxwell on Leadership #22 Encourage The Dreams of Others

I consider it a great privilege when people share their dreams with me. It shows a great deal of courage and trust. And at that moment, I'm conscious that I have great power in their lives. That's no small matter. A wrong word can crush a person's dream; the right word can inspire him or her to pursue it.

If someone thinks enough of you to tell you about his or her dreams, take care. Actress Candice Bergen commented, "Dreams are, by definition, cursed with short lifespans." I suspect she said that because there are people who don't like to see others pursuing their dreams. It reminds them of how far they are from living their own dreams. As a result, they try to knock down anyone who is shooting for the stars. By talking others out of their dreams, critical people excuse themselves for staying in their comfort zones.

Never allow yourself to become a dream killer. Instead, become a dream releaser. Even if you think another person's dream is far-fetched, that's no excuse for criticizing them.

[25 Ways To Win With People: How To Make Others Feel Like A Million Bucks (2005) by John C. Maxwell. Published by Thomas Nelson Inc.]

Ask someone on your team to share their dream with you today.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

John C. Maxwell on Leadership #21 Be Impressed, Not Impressive

Too often we think that if we can impress others, we will gain influence with them. We want to become others’ heroes – to be larger than life. That creates a problem because we’re real live human beings. People can see us for who we really are. If we make it our goal to impress them, we puff up our pride and end up being pretentious – and that turns people off.

If you want to influence others, don’t try to impress them. Pride is really nothing more than a form of selfishness, and pretence is only a way to keep people at arm’s length so that they can’t see who you really are. Instead of impressing others, let them impress you.

It’s really a matter of attitude. The people with charisma, those who attract others to themselves, are individuals who focus on others, not themselves. They ask questions of others. They listen. They don’t try to be the centre of attention. And they never try to pretend they’re perfect.

[Taken from The 360 Degree Leader: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the Organization (2011) by John C. Maxwell. Published by Thomas Nelson]

Listen with the purpose of understanding today,

and benefit from the knowledge, experience, and perspective of others.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

John C. Maxwell on Leadership #20 Understanding People Pays Great Dividends

The ability to understand people is one of the greatest assets anyone can ever have. It has the potential to positively impact every area of your life, not just the business arena. For example, look at how understanding people helped this mother of a pre-schooler. She said,

“Leaving my four-year-old son in the house, I ran out to throw something in the trash. When I tried to open the door to get back inside, I was locked. I knew that insisting that my son open the door would have resulted in an hour-long battle of the wills. So in a sad voice, I said, ‘Oh, too bad. You just locked yourself in the house.’ The door opened at once.”

Understanding people certainly impacts your ability to communicate with others. David Burns, a medical professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, observed, “The biggest mistake you can make in trying to talk convincingly is to put your highest priority on expressing your ideas and feelings. What most people really want is to be listened to, respected, and understood. The moment people see that they are being understood, they become more motivated to understand your point of view.”  If you can learn to understand people – how they think, what they feel, what inspires them, how they’re likely to act and react in a given situation – then you can motivate and influence them in a positive way.

[Except from Becoming a Person of Influence: How to Positively Impact the Lives of Others (2006) by John C. Maxwell with Jim Dornan. Published by Thomas Nelson Inc.]

Make understanding people your top priority today.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.